the simple universe3

7/30/2019 The Simple Universe3

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The Simple Universe

Why Life Has Meaning

2008 by Kevin HarvilleRev. 3/6/08


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The Problem

As many question their spiritual foundation:

Life may seem pointless

We have no basis for making decisions We question all our values

We may become narcissistic

Or just lost


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An Answer Might Be

Find the foundation, the core of all belief

Bad News: Mankind has been trying formillennia

Good News: The same answers keep

coming up


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My Goal

To show that by shifting yourperspective,

but not your beliefs, life makes sense, is

meaningful, and offers a foundation.

No dogma or agenda -- just one simple

message.


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The Big Questions

What should we believe?

What should we desire?

What should we do?

There are three things necessary for thesalvation of man: to know what he ought

to believe; to know what he ought todesire; and to know what he ought to do.

St. Thomas Aquinas


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4 Parts

A change in perspective

Systems

Values Meaning

Conclusions


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A Change in

Perspective


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Whos come to this Truth?

Christian Movements

Buddhists

Hindus

Taoists

Tribal religions worldwide New Age Believers

Philosophers

Scientists

Atheists

Believers in Gaia Pantheists (God is

everywhere)

Artists, musicians, poets, andwriters


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What is this core of all belief?

The Answer


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From one perspective we are

individuals


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But from another


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We are all simply

different parts

of the

same Universe


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Oneness


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One


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1


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Systems

Any thingis apartof something

greater

1


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Systems

Any thingis apartof something

greater


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We are parts of a larger System

Spiritually

Scientifically

Mystically

Practically

Created with Intent

Created by Accident


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Entropy and Syntropy

Entropy: 2nd law of

thermodynamics

Everything tends

toward disorder

Syntropy: Tendency

of life toward order


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Syntropy


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Systems within Systems

Quanta (indivisible

units of energy)

Atoms are systems of

quanta Molecules are

systems of atoms

Sub-cellular

components are

systems of

molecules


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Cells are systems of sub-cellular components


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A Diagram of a cell and

its subsystems.

Analogous to organs in

the body, they are

organelles, each with a

function.


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Organs are systems ofcells

Biological Systems are

systems of organs

Living, sentient beings

are systems of biological

systems


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NONE of these systems, andnone of their parts, actually

touch each other


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The Universe

is simplyinteracting energies

and consciousness


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And


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Societies, ecosystems, and worlds are

systems of life, including sentient beings

Solar systems

Galaxies

The Universe = an infinite system


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And we are just a part of it

Sentient biological consciousness is

one, if not the only, way in which the

universe becomes aware of itself


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Consciousness

Whether consciousness is mystical or

simply biochemical, it is one thing:


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Miraculous

Through life, the Universe is aware of its

own existence.

We understand almost everythingexcept

who we fundamentally are.


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We are one

longstanding biologicalprocess

Of DNA Replication


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The Chain of Life

The chain of life is

UNBROKEN from

your earliest human,

or, if you believe, non-human, ancestors.

All life on earth is

quite literally distant

cousins.


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Borderless Over Time and Space

Thinkers from 1000s of years ago

And from 1000s of miles away

Stars whose light took billions of years toget here affect us physically, intellectually,

and emotionally

TV, Radio, Internet Relatives who passed away


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Borderlessness

Groupthink Symbiotic bacteria and beings Blood Transfusions / Re-infusions

Organ donations & Artificial Organs Drugs and chemicals Ecosystems Fingernails, Hair

Pregnancy

Where do you end and the universe begin?


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Your choice is to be a healthy,

functional part of the Universe

or to be a cancer upon it.


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ValuesIf we are not only individuals, but

also parts of the Universe, whatdoes that mean for values?

ValuesIf we are not only individuals, but

also parts of the Universe, whatdoes that mean for values?


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Universal Perspective

The ultimate judge of values in a system is

the system as a whole

The ultimate criteria is the well-being of

the Universe as a whole.


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So what is good from a

Universal Perspective?


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Vitality

Love Joy

A Model of Values

2008 by Kevin Harville


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Vitality

Vitality: Living, growing, actualizing


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Love

Love: Concern for the well-being of the

parts of the universe

Love works. It creates more vitality in the

universe.


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Joy

Joy: An appreciation of existence

Joy is generally found in things thatincrease vitality


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Core Values

There is no Universe possible in which

Vitality, Love, and Joy would be bad things

Vitality: Dysfunction would never be a

value.

Love: Not caringfor the well-being of the

Universe would never be a value.

Joy: Unhappiness would never be a

value.


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Supporting Values

All other values are simply in support ofVitality, Love, and Joy

The list is endless, but generally reflects:

Truth Harmony

Excellence

Freedom Responsibility

Hope


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Supporting Values

Truth (understanding reality, knowledge

integrity)

Harmony (parts functioning together, peace,

order, beauty) Excellence (perfection, effectiveness, efficiency)

Freedom (self-determination)

Responsibility (duty to function well, honor) Hope (constructive optimism)


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Values Require Feelings

Without consciousness, nothing has value

Value is subjective

But values are objective from theUniversal Perspective because there is no

higher system


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Why Feelings Matter

Feelings of pleasure and pain, and values,

guide us toward vitality

If the


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Meaning

If the

highest

values are

Vitality,

Love, and

JoyWhatis Lifes

Meaning?


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Meaning

Meaning is a term expressing a

relationship

Without relationships, there is no meaning

It isnt about the pencil

It isnt about the paper

It is about the relationship


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Be Valuable

Your Meaning and Purpose?

What relationship with the Universe, and

the parts of it, do you want to have?

Healthy parts comprise a healthy system

Healthy parts serve a healthy system Parts are valuable because they serve a

unique purpose


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The Car

Like parts of a car All parts are infinitely valuable parts of the system But in the vitality of the system parts may provide more

relative value

The parts are not interchangeableeach has aninherent purpose If you are a headlight or spark plug or tire, dont waste

your life being a hood ornament. If you are a hood ornament or cup-holder, appreciate the

value you have! But unlike car parts, we evolve and grow Thus the car, the system, evolves and grows


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Be Valuable

Be a valuable employee or entrepreneur

Be a valuable partner

Be a valuable community member

Be a valuable part of the ever-growinguniverse

And reap the benefits of that value byexchanging value with others and bygiving some away


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The Intersection

The

WorldsNeeds

Your

Passions

The Intersection


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Happiness

Would you be happy pursuing Vitality,Love, and Joy

While helping others find Vitality, Love,

and Joy?

It is important that your needs are met so

you can continue providing value The system is fulfilled by the parts being

fulfilled.


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Conclusions

From a Universal Perspective what


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From a Universal Perspective, what

would I believe?

I would believe that everyone was a part

of the universe

I would follow the golden ruleto love

others as myselfsince they are.

I would want my parts to have Vitality,

Love, and Joy.

Consistent with belief in God and Science



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would we desire?

VitalityTo live, to grow

LoveAppreciation of the parts of the

Universe

JoyAppreciation of ones existence



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would we do?

Find your unique role in the universe:

Seek Vitality, Love, and Joy

While providing Vitality, Love, and Joy

At The Intersection Your passions

The worlds needs

Systems Perspective


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Systems Perspective

on How to Live

Positive is that which produces vitality (health ofthe system), love, and joy

Intake positive input

Process positively / constructively

Produce positive output

Living in Harmony with the


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Living in Harmony with the

Universe

Will always be ethical

Will generally feel good

Makes logical sense


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Outcomes of This Presentation

Know WHY values matter

Know WHY love is the answer

Know WHY life has meaning

Know HOW to find meaningand purpose

Have a foundation in yourjourney


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Thank you

When you ask the big questions, consider

if a perspective of Oneness provides an

answer

Test it. Challenge it.


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You are a valuable partof the

ever-growingUniverse.

More Detail: BeValuable.com

Total Success Teams:

TotalSuccessTeams.com
http://www.bevaluable.com/http://www.totalsuccessteams.com/http://www.totalsuccessteams.com/http://www.bevaluable.com/

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